Lifting device and methods for pulling up overturned vehicles and other structures

Abstract

Lifting devices include a tube with a first slot and a second slot. The devices also include an insert with a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion. The first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot. A first plate and a second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. Additionally provided are methods of lifting a tanker truck or other structures using the disclosed lifting devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lifting device, comprising:
 a tube comprising a first slot and a second slot; 
 an insert comprising a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion, wherein the first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot; and 
 a first plate and a second plate, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are connected to the central portion of the insert, 
 wherein the first insert projection has opposing first and second ends along a longitudinal axis, and 
 wherein the tube has a rounded outer surface positioned axially beyond each of the first and second ends of the first insert projection and arranged in line with the longitudinal axis of the first insert projection. 
 
     
     
       2. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the second insert projection further comprises a first foot and a second foot. 
     
     
       3. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are each connected to the tube. 
     
     
       4. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first insert projection comprises an aperture. 
     
     
       5. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion of the insert comprises a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       6. The lifting device of  claim 2 , wherein the first foot and the second foot each comprise an aperture. 
     
     
       7. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube further comprises a plurality of tube apertures arranged in line with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       8. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plate each extend from a surface of the second insert projection to an internal surface of the tube. 
     
     
       9. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting device is configured to support a weight of at least 60,000 pounds. 
     
     
       10. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting device is configured to support a working load of at least 15,000 pounds. 
     
     
       11. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the second slot is greater than a length of the first slot. 
     
     
       12. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has a circumference, and the first insert projection extends out of the tube at 0 degrees and the second insert projection extends out of the tube at 180 degrees. 
     
     
       13. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the first insert projection, a width of the central portion of the insert, and a width of the second insert projection are substantially the same. 
     
     
       14. The lifting device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are substantially rectangular with at least one angled side, wherein the at least one angled side of the first plate and the at least one angled side of the second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. 
     
     
       15. A method of lifting a tanker truck, comprising:
 obtaining a lifting device, comprising
 a tube comprising a first slot and a second slot, 
 an insert comprising a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion, wherein the first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot, and 
 a first plate and a second plate, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are connected to the central portion of the insert; 
 
 inserting the lifting device into a hatch of a tank of a tanker truck; and 
 applying an upwards force to the lifting device. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the tanker truck is moved by the pressure applied by the lifting device to the inside of the tank. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein a length of the tube along the longitudinal axis of the tube is greater than a length of the hatch. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method of lifting a tanker truck further comprises:
 obtaining a second lifting device, comprising
 a tube comprising a first slot and a second slot, 
 an insert comprising a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion, wherein the first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot, and 
 a first plate and a second plate, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are connected to the central portion of the insert; 
 
 inserting the second lifting device into a second hatch of the tank of the tanker truck; and 
 applying an upwards force to the second lifting device. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein applying an upwards force to the lifting device is performed by a lifting machine. 
     
     
       20. A lifting device, comprising:
 a tube comprising a first slot and a second slot; 
 an insert comprising a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion, wherein the first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot; and 
 a first plate and a second plate, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are connected to the central portion of the insert, 
 wherein the first insert projection spans a first length along a longitudinal axis of the lifting device, 
 wherein the second insert projection spans a second length along the longitudinal axis, and 
 wherein the first length of the first insert projection is shorter than the second length of the second insert projection.